November's arrival signals the start of colder temperatures, the end of daylight savings time and—for many people—pre-holiday panic!

Yes, soon the holidays will be here, and with them, holiday guests. You want your home to look its best when family and friends gather near, but you might be a little bit short of time and cash during this busy season of shopping, cooking, parties and family obligations.

In that spirit (and the spirit of the holidays), here are five ways to spruce up your home that can be achieved in a relatively short amount of time and won't divert too many funds from your gift-giving budget.

1. Freshen up with paint. Paint is one of the most economical ways to revitalize a tired room. Paint over dingy walls to give a room a clean, like-new appearance and to provide a perfect backdrop for your holiday décor.

2. Freshen up your floors. Have the carpets professionally cleaned. Newly cleaned carpet looks like a million bucks (figuratively, not literally, of course), and you'll have great peace of mind when young tykes start crawling or playing on the floor. Not all carpet cleaners are created equal, so get recommendations from your friends or go online to Angie's List to read reviews. Speaking of the floor, a new area rug can add warmth, color and design to a foyer, family room or other space in your home.

3. De-clutter your gathering spaces. Remove plant stands, end tables and cocktail tables from the living room and family room to provide more space for party guests to mingle. In the kitchen, store away small appliances that only get occasional use—i.e., blenders, toasters, mixers, etc.. This not only provides a nice, cleaner look, but it also provides extra counter space for cookies, party trays and other holiday deliciousness that will be making their way into your home.

4. Bring in the greenery (and other holiday plants). This is where the song "Deck the halls" definitely applies. Decorate with the proverbial boughs of holly as well as evergreen boughs, mistletoe, festive Poinsettias and, of course, the traditional Christmas tree.  The entranceway of your home can set the immediate stage for a festive holiday welcome with a wreath on the door, swags of greenery and several holiday plants grouped creatively on a foyer table.

5. Update accessories. Add new pillows to your sofa or loveseat. Refresh your wall décor and tabletop accessories. Consider custom-framing a beloved family portrait or treasured piece of artwork. Perhaps add decorative shelving units to a wall in your family room or living room—all the better to display some of your holiday décor.  Speaking of holiday décor, bringing out the pieces that have become a holiday tradition is nice. However, don't feel guilty about retiring the pieces that have done valiant duty but are beginning to show their age. Add new pieces to your holiday tradition—i.e., candles, ornaments, ceramics, sculptures, etc.—and provide some new life to your surroundings during this happiest of seasons.